One
of the earliest decisions you'll be required to make for your child's education
is selecting the right preschool. In order to give your little student the best
start possible, look for the following five characteristics when touring
potential facilities.
Properly Trained Staff
An
excellent choice will be one that properly trains their staff. Teachers should
be CPR and first aid certified in addition to learning how to attract and keep
a child's attention. Instructors should know how to keep the students safe and
what procedures should be followed to promote a healthy atmosphere.
Low Student-to-Teacher Ratio
One
reason why some children fall behind is a high student-to-teacher ratio. The
instructor is not able to spend extra time helping those who are a little bit
slower in understanding the material, or extra time providing additional study
for those who are fast learners. Also, preschool age children require much more
supervision for their own safety, which is difficult with a large group of
children and just one teacher.
Clean and Secure Facility
Successful
preschools take pride in their facility and put extra precautions in place to
keep their little ones safe. A few questions to ask when walking through the
building include: Are repairs made quickly? How often are the rooms thoroughly
cleaned? Is the facility locked during school hours? Are there procedures to
prevent unauthorized individuals from signing your child out of school? Is the
playground secure?
Variety of Hands-On Learning Experiences
Younger
children may not be able to read, so it is important that the institution
offers a variety of hands-on learning experiences. This is true for both indoor
and outdoor activities. Kids can easily learn about the life cycle of a frog by
visiting a pond, or learn how to make clay from scratch in order to create a
piece of art. Find out if the preschool has instruments to discover the love of
music, soccer balls to practice sports and the importance of working as a team,
or ingredients to churn butter to see what life was like back in the old days.
A Set Routine
A
routine is essential for kids under the age of five. There is a sense of peace
in knowing what to expect each day. Does the facility have a schedule for the
day that includes instruction, art, outdoor play, and meals? Do the little ones
have a set nap time each day? Perhaps the teacher likes to schedule chores at
the end of the day so the kids learn how to be responsible. Of course, there
will be times when the class will take a field trip, but for the most part,
you'll want a place where organization and routine are held in high regard.
